University of Nebraska at Kearney Dining Services will donate 714 pounds of food to Crossroads Mission in Kearney due to the efforts of Project Clean Plate to reduce food waste in the Market @ 27th, the campus dining service.

Jerry Bumgardner, executive director of Crossroads Mission will accept the donation at celebration event set for Monday, Feb. 11, at 5:15 p.m. in the Nebraskan Student Union, Cedar Room.

Crossroads Mission in Kearney is a faith-based shelter that provides food and a safe place for those who need help. Through a four-phase program, they help their guests restart their lives through life-skills classes, employment, finance and leadership.

Project Clean Plate was a project of the Residence Hall Association and UNK Dining Services. Laura Juenemann of Colby, Kan., is the RHA sustainability chair. Juenemann organized the project, initial tracking, education week and the final tracking

Students tracked the amount of waste accumulated during lunch and supper for two days. After the initial numbers, RHA and UNK Dining put in place an education week that informed students how to waste less food. After education week, the students measured the amount of waste collected to see if the food waste was reduced.

“We are so proud of the students for all their hard work on Project Clean Plate,” said Jen Kacere, RHA adviser. “We have seen a huge difference with the amount of food and drink that students are taking on a daily basis. Our final number also showed us that our education week was a success as we reduced waste.”

“We are excited to be able to donate 714 pounds of food to Crossroads Mission,” she said. “RHA and UNK Dining Services will continue to raise awareness at The Market @ 27th throughout the spring semester.”

The students who were involved in planning the programs and tracking food waste are listed below, alphabetically, by hometown.